10 Ways to Lose 5 Pounds by This Weekend

Sure, a months-long healthy diet is the real key to lasting weight loss. But you can lose weight quickly and safely. Here's how

Make the Most of Your Time We've all heard that it's good to be as active as you can with everyday activities -- park far away from the grocery store, take the stairs at work -- but what if you went even further and turned those already-helpful everyday activities into interval training? "Intervals keep your heart rate going for maximum burn, and studies show that it's much more effective than steady state cardio for fat burning," says Kristin McGee, celebrity yoga and fitness expert. Two ideas:

1. When brushing your teeth in the morning and before bed, do 50 squats both times, as quickly as you can without dribbling toothpaste all over your bunny slippers. Though brushing and squatting might take some practice, form here is key. "Sit back in an imaginary chair and be sure your knees don't go past your toes," McGee says. "Stand back up squeezing your glutes."

2. When yapping on the phone, do heel raises. Stand with your feet in ballet first position, heels together and toes turned out, and rise to your toes and then lower down. Do this every time you get a call, or even if you find yourself stuck in a bank or grocery line. "Heel raises are discreet, and you can do them throughout the day, all day long." She suggests 20 reps, five times a day.

Fantastic! The more often you eat (smaller portions and healthy foods), the more you do rev up your metabolism. Not enough can be said about movement. I started at a new school (a huge building) a few years ago and had to run the stairs to make sure I made it to classes on time. I started to lose weight and couldn't stop. Water, water, water--absolutely necessary to fill you up, help you lose weight, and keep your skin plumped and glowing!